Annual Report of the Diocese of Arkansas The Order of the Daughters of the King September, 2017

The Diocese of Arkansas currently has 19 chapters with approximately 340 Daughters actively engaged in spreading the good news of Christ in so many ways. Two additional new chapters are getting organized and have begun participation in the study and discernment process this fall with Institution/Installation tentatively scheduled for December or January.

An exciting “first” for our diocese is the Alpha Junior DOK formed at St. Peter’s Conway. The Alpha Junior Chapter was instituted on May 21, 2017 with five precious young ladies ages 12 – 16. Our Junior Directress Gloria Parker and Dinah Reed attended the National Junior Directress Retreat at Summer’s Mill, near Belton, TX, July 13 – 16, 2017. Exchange of ideas, revision of the JDOK literature, and planning for Triennial were all part of the Retreat. The annual Training the Trainers Workshop was held in January, 2017 for Daughters wanting to become trainers for prospective members and/or new chapters going through the discernment process. It was once again well attended with Daughters from across the diocese. The next workshop will be scheduled for January, 2018.

Trinity Chapter, St. Paul’s, Fayetteville, hosted our annual Spring Assembly on April 8, 2017. It was a beautiful Spring, spirit-filled day which began with Holy Eucharist especially for the Arkansas Daughters. We were wrapped in love by The Rev. Suzanne Stoner’s sermon, beautiful music, and being in communion with our Sisters from around the Diocese. Our Business Meeting revealed that more of our Daughters paid their dues on time than in previous years—which helped the budget at every level. Featured speaker, Kathy McGregor, a former hospice nurse and current Executive Director of Prison Stories, spoke on “The Healing Art of Storytelling”. She gave emphasis to the benefits of sharing your story in building community with each other. Kathy has been working with Arkansas’ current Death Row inmates. She received a standing ovation and was invited to several churches to speak.

Magdalene Coming Home, a new transformational living facility for women who are victims of childhood sexual abuse, human trafficking, addiction, and are often incarcerated, was selected to receive the Province VII Outreach Grant. An offering was also taken for the Order’s Master’s Fund in memory of Daughters who passed away this year.Fall Assembly at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Little Rock, hosted by St. Brigid Chapter took place on September 16, 2017. Province President Pat Hind brought greetings from the Province as well as information about Triennial National Convention, June, 2018. The Rev. Teri Daily, featured speaker presented “Imagining the Trinity through Sacred Art”. Daughters Stephanie Gray, Dee Sanders and The Rev. Ginny Chase presented information about a new mentor program from the Magdalene Coming Home project for women.

As Diocesan President, I continue to be impressed with the corporate and individual prayer and service of our Daughters. Quiet Days, Participation in Presiding Bishop Curry’s Call to Pray, Fast, and Act, Workshops on The Rule of Life, Dinners for Veterans, Help for the hungry, the homeless, the refugees, Prayer Shawls providing warmth and love, leading Prayers during Advent and Lent, Making needle point kneelers are just a few of the many and varied ways our Daughters serve and live into their vows as they look for the answer to “Lord, what would you have me do?”.